*EAST CASTLE GATE, HERO TRAINING GROUNDS*
Nao sees the Ogre overpowering Viktor momentarily:
She reacts quickly, casting a skill:
"Roots of Restraint!"
Vines burst from the earth, wrapping around the Ogre's legs:
Thick wooden roots constrict its movements, slowing it down:
Viktor seizes the chance, striking the Ogre with renewed strength:
His sword slices through its defenses – the Ogre collapses defeated.
Viktor turns to Nao, nodding in appreciation:
"Good timing, recruit. Your magic turned the tide."
Meanwhile:
- Kai continues battling the lead Oni
- Chris watches from shadows, ready to strike again
- Hana maintains her calming spell, staff still glowing softly
- Mark looks around nervously, unsure what to do
Mark's "Instinct" skill suddenly alerts him to an incoming Goblin attack behind him:
He spins around, sword barely blocking the Goblin's rusty blade:
The force of the attack sends him stumbling backward – he struggles to maintain grip:
Just as the Goblin readies another strike:
A blast of fiery magic engulfs the Goblin and nearby enemies:
Akira stands confidently, hands still glowing with embers:
"Fools daring to challenge us? My 'Inferno Burst' skill will reduce you to ashes!"
She smirks proudly, voice laced with mockery:
"My magic is art – yours is merely... dying screams."
The enemies recoil, terrified by the sudden inferno:
- Goblins scramble away, ablaze
- Hobgoblins stumble back, fearful
- The lead Oni eyes Akira warily, momentarily distracted from Kai
Akira's inferno continues to engulf the enemies:
Chris seizes the opening, striking the lead Oni from behind:
His daggers sink deep into the Oni's scaled armor, aiming for vital spots:
The lead Oni's eyes widen in shock as it tries to reach around, too late:
Its knees buckle, weakened by Chris's deadly Assassin strike.
Then:
Ryan emerges from the chaos, bow drawn swiftly:
He targets the distracted Hobgoblins, firing arrow after arrow:
"Piercing Shot" and "Rapid Fire" skills unleash a deadly barrage:
Hobgoblins crumble, pierced by Ryan's precise arrows.
Nao summons thorns to block a group of Goblins heading towards Hana:
Sharp wooden spikes burst from the ground, impaling and repelling the Goblins:
Hana stands safely behind the barrier, her calming spell still active:
The Goblins retreat, terrified by Nao's powerful Wood magic.
The battlefield falls silent momentarily, except for dying enemy cries:
Guards stare in awe, eyes wide with surprise:
Viktor's expression transforms from battle focus to stunned admiration:
"By the kingdom's founders... THEY ARE HEROES!"
The guards' cheers echo through the battlefield, mingling with the fading sounds of clashing steel:
Akira smiles proudly, flames dissipating from her hands.
Ryan leans on his bow, exhausted but relieved.
Nao and Hana share a glance, both smiling softly.
Viktor steps forward, voice booming across the area:
"Heroes of the realm, your bravery and skill have turned the tide!
But the battle's not won yet..."
He gestures towards:
Kai and the lead Oni exchanging fierce blows,
Chris lurking in shadows, waiting for a fatal opening to strike.
The lead Oni's eyes blaze with fury, yet hint at growing desperation.
Kai unleashes a powerful slash, aiming to crush the Oni's defenses:
His sword bites deep into the Oni's scaled armor, sparking blood and flames:
The lead Oni staggers backward, wounded but far from defeated:
It glares at Kai with pure hatred, voice low and menacing:
"You... will never leave this place alive..."
Suddenly, its expression twists in desperation:
"It is... ending. My lord Xarath's power... fading from me..."
The Oni's body begins to tremble, eyes widening in panic:
Then, it unleashes a deafening, desperate ROAR:
"The DESTRUCTION WILL STILL COME! XARATH WILL RISE!"
The ground shakes beneath their feet as the Oni's voice echoes.
Kai laughs confidently at the Oni's threat:
"Haha, empty words from a defeated foe!
He strikes a pose, sword still dripping with Oni blood, trying to look heroic:
The guards and his comrades glance at him, some impressed, others amused.
The lead Oni's eyes narrow, enraged by Kai's mockery:
"It is... ending. My lord's power... fading from me..."
Suddenly, her expression twists in desperation:
"You will pay for defeating me!"
The Oni unleashes a colossal skill:
"INFERNO REQUIEM - TOTAL DARKNESS!"
A massive dark vortex erupts, engulfing the entire battlefield:
Blinding everyone with intense shadows and deafening thunder.
As they stumble around, disoriented:
A new batch of Goblins emerges from the surrounding trees and rocks:
The lead Oni takes advantage of the chaos:
She turns and flees into the darkness, disappearing from sight.
Akira speaks proudly, invoking her final skill:
"INFERNO'S FURY - INCINERATE!"
Her hands glow with intense flames as she aims at the darkness where the Oni fled:
But just as she's about to unleash the inferno:
A guard accidentally bumps into her, throwing off her balance:
The fiery blast misses its target, striking the ground instead:
Nearby, Hana and Nao are caught off guard, blasted by the impact:
Hana stumbles, losing her concentration – her calming spell dissipates:
Nao is sent flying backward, landing hard on the ground:
Dazed, Nao looks up to see a Goblin charging towards her:
Its short sword glinting in the faint light, mere inches from her chest:
Nao's eyes widen in shock as the Goblin prepares to strike...
Nao stands frozen, Goblin sword mere inches from her chest:
Mark sprints towards them, desperate to save her:
But his weapon weighs him down, slowing his crucial dash:
He throws aside his sword, freeing himself to run faster:
Time slows as Mark stretches out his bare hands to block the attack:
Everyone watches in horror as Mark intercepts the Goblin's sword:
His palm meets the blade, and then his forearm...
The sword bites deep into Mark's hand and forearm,
Piercing through skin and muscle.
Mark's body locks up in agony, his eyes wide with pain: